Understanding the value of your car

If you want to maximise the value of your car you're going to need to know how much its worth.

• Use the What Car? Used Car Price Guide to find out how much you car is worth, or try the online valuation service at whatcar.com. Look at other adverts in the publications you're advertising in so you don't stick out like a sore thumb with a particularly high or low asking price.
• Remember that if your car is in a particularly good condition and has covered fewer miles than average, it'll be worth more. Use the mileage-adjustment tables to work out how much you should be adding on to its price.
• Unfortunately, a higher-than-average mileage means you'll have to deduct some cash from the asking price if you want to get people interested.
• Be honest with yourself about the condition of your car. If it's a little battered, you'll have to adjust the price accordingly if you don't want buyers to walk away the moment they see it.
• In general, special and limited editions aren't worth much more than the basic model they were based on unless they're absolutely packed with extra equipment. Even then, you might only be able to add a few hundred pounds on.
• If you're lucky enough to have a highly desirable model that other motorists are clamouring to buy, you might be able to sell it to them for more than the list price so they can jump the waiting list. A quick search of the internet should pull up some sample prices, while the classified section in Autocar magazine also carries adverts for these kinds of cars every week.